SMEs in Birmingham could be in with a chance of winning £150,000 cash from HSBC to help make their ambitions a reality in a major pitch competition.
The Elevator Pitch, which has been designed by HSBC to help UK businesses with a turnover of up to and including £10 million, asks businesses to explain in a 90-second pitch video how they would elevate their business with £150,000. The online competition (www.hsbc.co.uk/elevator) is part of HSBC’s Elevator programme which also includes a series of talks and written guides to help businesses move to the next level.
HSBC is looking for innovative and exciting responses to the brief which could see them win the cash prize, as well as 10 hours of mentoring from business experts.
Martin Hanson, HSBC’s Head of Business Banking in the Midlands, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK economy, employing some 15 million people with a combined turnover of £1.6 trillion. The Elevator Pitch could help these businesses fast-forward their growth plans, giving the winner the opportunity to make investments that may have been projected two or three years down the line. This sort of cash and support could open a lot of doors.”
Some of the ways Birmingham SMEs might use the money include investing in staff training, developing new sales channels, delivering a one-off marketing campaign, incorporating new technology and IT systems or expanding into new markets.
How to enter
To find out more about the competition and upload your business’s 90-second video, visit www.hsbc.co.uk/elevator before the closing date of 30 November 2015.
After careful review and shortlisting, 10 finalists will be announced in February 2016 and invited to attend a two-day masterclass where they will receive coaching and advice on how to hone and refine their business idea, before re-pitching to an expert panel. The winner will be announced towards the end of February.
The competition is open to any UK business from start-ups through to those with a turnover of £10 million. Entrants must be at least 18 years old and be prepared to take part in all elements of the campaign.
As well as The Elevator Pitch, HSBC is also providing UK businesses with access to knowledge, insight and the experience of business leaders to help take their business to the next level. Other initiatives include The Elevator Talks, a series of live events featuring top business leaders and experts, and The Elevator Guides, essentialonline reading material offering practical tips and advice to help overcome challenges to growth and help businesses realise their growth ambitions.